New York might be the city that never sleeps, but Beijing is the city that never stops drilling. One of the most … exciting … experiences of being a baby-mom here is figuring out how to deal with the soul-piercing drilling happening (what seems to be right outside your bedroom wall … or within your skull, who can tell?) right at the very moment your colicky baby finally fell asleep. But that is only one of the superpowers that you will acquire whilst living here.

As an expat baby-mom in Beijing, I am always kept fit by my camera-phone-jumping routine. Oh, you haven’t heard of it? It’s pretty rad, and super easy. Whenever strangers attempt to stick their camera in either of my babies’ faces, I jump in front of them! Bonus points if you simultaneously whip out your own phone to record them recording you.

Then there is my new superpower, the Temperature Tingles! The what, now? Well, it is like spidey senses, except I can sense when someone is about to grab my baby daughter’s leg to check whether she is dressed warm enough. Being the daring mom that I am, I am constantly taking my baby outside without socks, knowing full well that in China, the 30-degree weather could lead to her getting hypothermia. I guess I just like living life on the edge.

The Central Heating Headache: If you are fortunate enough to live in an apartment building that has central heating, you know how wonderful it is. Sure, it saves money, but it also builds endurance! It is always turned on long after it has gotten cold, and stays on long after it has warmed up again, and it is almost scorching enough to justify turning on your AC as a counterattack. The most fun part is, of course, getting your kicking, wriggling baby or toddler from wearing just a vest to the 20,000 layers they’ll need for the sub-zero temperatures before going outside. And then if you are going into any mall, you’ll have the pleasure of peeling all those layers off again as you jump between flaming hot and icy cold. If putting on and taking off layers from uncooperative children were an Olympic sport, I’d be a medalist.

My temperature skills are, however, only rivaled by my innate ability to judge the pollution level by how many buildings I can see in the distance. Who needs an AQI reader when you can tell whether it is safe to take the babies outside by whether you can stare directly into the sun?

Being here has also refined my mosquito swatting skills to “Ninja” level. No matter how many repellent stickers you have plastered on your baby, the mosquitoes in Beijing are relentless on a nuclear level. Nothing deters them! Except, of course, waving a hand-held fan around your child as if she were the Queen of Sheba. Bonus points if yours is a palm-leaf fan. The only level above Ninja is, of course, Shushu-Ninja level!

It is a good thing that phones in China come with such large memory capacity, because any expat mom will know that the vast number of cute photos of your babies on your phone are only at risk of being surpassed by the insane amount of undeleted screenshots for translation. There was once a time in my life when there was a fine line between taking a screenshot or locking my phone and adjusting the volume. Not anymore, baby! I can now take 100 screenshots per split second that will forever remain on my phone … or until our descendants discover them in an archaeological excavation.

Sometimes I reminisce about the days when I hyperventilated at the thought of being hooted at by the car behind us if I didn’t get out of the DiDi fast enough. I have instead developed a stare that is the mom equivalent of the “baby onboard” sticker, a stare that practically dares the driver behind us to hoot while I unload and unfold the double stroller, into which I need to “wrestle” my two monkeys, three bags, four half-eaten snacks, five stray toys, and a sense of humor.

In the end, the constant drilling, the temperature patrols and the linguistic acrobatics aren’t just annoyances; they’re the forge in which the expat baby-mom’s superpower is tempered. And while it’s endlessly entertaining to complain about them, the truth is, they come with a hidden, priceless reward. We are raising our children in a city of breathtaking contrasts, where ancient hutongs sit in the shadow of glittering skyscrapers. Our kids are learning flexibility, resilience and a deep, intuitive understanding that the world is filled with different kinds of wonderful. For the chance to see this sprawling, maddening, magnificent city through their wide, curious eyes, I’d jump in front of a thousand cameras and swat a million mosquitoes. The chaos is the price of admission, but the show … the vibrant, unforgettable, daily show of life here … is absolutely worth it.

Images: Janita Shahsavari

We’re so excited to welcome to our new freelance writer Tara Fegelein to the jingkids team. Tara has led an amazing life that’s taken her all around the world, and we’re absolutely delighted to have her voice representing jingkids. We can’t wait for you to share the treasures she discovered during her adventures in Beijing

Tell us a bit about yourself and what brought you and your family to Beijing.

Dajia hao, Beijingren! I am Tara (淘淘) by way of the US, Germany, and Iran. Our family of three moved to Beijing in the Fall of 2024 and has been intensively exploring our new city! My husband and I are both international development professionals and career expats, living and working the past 25 years in Abu Dhabi, Hong Kong, Istanbul, Munich, London, and most recently, Washington, D.C.

What do you do to keep yourself busy?

Things that occupy me outside of work and parenting are being active in nature, wellness practices, yoga retreats, travel (90+ countries), gastronomy, contemporary art and architecture, the performing arts, and all things kid-centric. Since becoming a Beijinger, I have also kept busy by learning Chinese with a fierce commitment to “好好学习，天天向上 (hǎo hǎo xué xí, tiān tiān xiàng shàng)”!

What are your top 3 favorite things you’ve discovered since moving to Beijing?

Three favorites things I’ve discovered here are 1) buying local by finding premium brands for everything from furniture to athletic gear, including indie labels by young designers, 2) eating at 200+ restaurants to find my top 20 go-to restaurants, from fine dining to hole in the walls, and 3) participating in various communities, including Girl Scouts, LEGO League, and local charities.

What can jingkids readers expect to see from you?

Together with my 6-year-old pixie, Leili, we will cover activities for kids around the city, STEAM education, nature adventures in the great outdoors (hiking, fishing, wild swimming, camping, skiing, etc.), kids’ shopping, dining, performances, cultural celebrations, and more! We look forward to discovering ever more facets of our brilliant Beijing and sharing these with the jingkids community.

Stay tuned for Tara’s first article, coming out later this week.

Images: Tara Fegelein

When I was pregnant, so many people asked if I was going to become a stay-at-home mom. “Just be a mom for a few years and then you can go back to work when they start school” was one of the things I heard the most. But becoming a stay-at-home mom never appealed to me. I know myself. I know that I love my job, I love financial independence, I enjoy conversing with other adults and being part of a team, and I know that spending that much time alone at home wouldn’t be good for me mentally. But for many women that’s exactly what happens. You give up your career to become a stay-at-home mom, and you take on the immense workload and responsibility that comes with that.

And then there’s what society thinks you do all day – lounging around in your PJs and rosé all day. I can’t roll my eyes hard enough when I hear people say stuff like “She has such an easy life” or “She’s just a mom.” Let’s be straight here: There’s no such thing as “just a mom.”

Let’s break down what being a mom means on a typical day: You’re a chef, a nutritionist, a personal shopper, a chauffeur, an ayi, a nurse, your family’s PR director, a teacher, a playmate, an accountant, and a babysitter just to name a few. You basically end up being your family’s personal butler but without the spiffy suit and hefty paycheck that comes with the job.

When your kids are old enough and you decide to re-enter the workforce after years of being home full-time, getting used to a brand new schedule, preparing your kids for it, and finding a job that’s accommodating is no easy task. Cindy Marie Jenkins, our former deputy managing editor, shared her experience of returning back to work after being a stay-at-home mom to two boys for years.

So, before you dust off your work clothes, first things first: How do you nail that interview?

True Run Media’s human resources director, Siyu He, is also a former stay-at-home mom who returned to work after taking care of her twin boys for the first few years after their birth. She shares with us her professional insights on some common concerns.

One of the things that I hear a lot from stay-at-home moms is what they used to be. “I’m Allie’s mom, but I used to be the marketing director for *insert company name.*” Personally, I think that a woman doesn’t have to justify her intelligence by talking about her previous job, but does HR agree with me?

“As HR, I’m interested in all the previous experiences of a candidate,” says Siyu. “I need to know their past behavior to predict their future performance. Because everyone has their own pattern in their career life, previous experience can give enough leads about that.” So, yes, moms! Your life from before your kids matters!

What about talking about your mom life like it’s a full-time job? “In my opinion, I don’t think being a stay-at-home mom is a job,” says Siyu. “I know the whole world is telling us how meaningful it is to be a stay-at-home mom, and we should consider it as [the]same as other jobs. But the reality is not like that. You nearly make every decision by yourself, you work with your family, whom you are very familiar with, which means you are only responsible to your family, not clients or colleagues, you cannot be fired or quit, and you don’t get paid. All of this will subconsciously influence your intentions.” Siyu suggests that you do not introduce your stay-at-home mom life as one of your “working” experiences. “Treat it like what it is. It’s not your job, it’s your life. You are doing what a mom should do.”

So it’s not a good thing if a stay-at-home mom talks about how difficult parenting is, and what an amazing job she’s doing with her family.? “It depends,” says Siyu. “I suggest neither talking too much about that nor ignoring it. Treat it normally. It is a very difficult but amazing experience, but you shouldn’t expect others’ empathy. Not all the interviewers are parents who can relate.”

But there are so many “mom skills” that will come in handy at work. According to Siyu, multitasking and decision-making are skills that come with being a mom. In addition, being a mom makes you detail-oriented, able to coordinate, super organized, etc., all of which are key qualities required for both senior positions and supporting roles.

And when it comes to jobs, certain industries are more welcoming to a woman who needs to balance family, parenting, and a career. According to Siyu, flexibility is the top priority to consider when you want to return to work, especially when your child is under 3 years old, because you cannot always guarantee a calm and normal day. You never know when you’ll need to rush to school because little Jimmy got hurt or suddenly got a tummy ache. Anything could happen, and you will want to be able to work with (or around) disruptions or alterations to your routine. So flexible job positions such as editor, freelance gigs, consultant, accountant, HR representative, etc. are all good choices.

The number one thing that every HR can tell you is that they don’t like candidates who leave without asking questions. At the end of every interview, you’ll be asked, “Do you have any questions for us?” Don’t ever say, “No, I’m good,” and just leave. That’s a definite way to fast-track yourself onto the “no” pile.

Important Reminders for Your Interview

What HR wants to know (and what you should try to work into conversation so they aren’t left with questions):

• Why you decided to return to work. (Do not say, “I just want something to do.” A specific career goal is necessary for every candidate.)
• Why you’re looking to make some changes in your current life.
• What the advantages are of hiring you as opposed to other candidates who don’t have a child.
• How your family is going to support you.
• How you will balance your life.

 

Questions you need to ask during the interview:

• What are the working hours, weekends, holidays, annual leave provisions, etc.?
• What kind of health insurance plan is there for you and your child? Don’t assume you can ask this question later when you get the offer letter. Ask it during the interview.
• What’s the company culture like? If they say, “We’re like a family here,” you can ask for examples.
• Can you work from home?
• Are they opposed to you taking time off to take care of your child if needed?
• How common is overtime?

 

Transitioning from being a stay-at-home mom to a working one requires empathy, flexibility, and a forward-thinking approach. Stay-at-home moms bring unique perspectives and strengths that can greatly benefit any organization, but you’ve got to know how to brand your experience so that it appeals to HR. Good luck, and we wish you all the best in your new careers, moms!

Images: Pexels

Before the Makeover

Time isn’t money when you’re the mom of a newborn; it’s a luxury. So it’s hard to use the few hours of childcare you have a week to make sure you take care of yourself. And for Christina Wacko, who also just returned to Beijing after being stranded until she gave birth, every minute of her day counts.

That’s why it was such a joy to offer her the chance to spruce up her roots and highlights, giving renewed life to her already pretty stunning hair. Wacko and her husband moved to Beijing in 2018 but last winter were stuck in Nepal, then the UK, keeping up on a new pregnancy in the meantime. When they missed the window to return before the baby was born, her blossoming family traveled to Canada, where her husband has citizenship, to welcome their new daughter.

But their family’s story has a happy ending – or new beginning, in this case. They returned to their home in Beijing last January as parents, ready to embrace a whole new view of their host city – and laden with the usual baby items in tow!

So here we find Wacko, six months out from her last hair treatment and looking forward to new highlights for a brighter spring than she had last year. Laurent Falcon stylist Max and his assistants took their time to get to know her hair and understand the processes it has already been through, then talking with Wacko in depth on her desires. It was determined that they needed to strip the bleached areas even lighter in order to attain the color she had previously, and everyone set to work while their subject relaxed into the chair.

A morning of self care quickly turned into lunchtime, however, and the clock started ticking down to when Wacko’s part-time ayi was due to leave. But we all know that if there’s one thing mothers learn, it’s how to meet challenges. That includes rearranging plans when a hair appointment goes longer than expected and your seven month old has to come for a visit. All parents must figure out how to integrate their child into everyday activities as needed; I myself remember how I had to cleverly time a haircut with my toddler’s nap, the stylist going snip snip snip as the child snoozed happily in a Björn with the apron as an umbrella.

And so Wacko and her beautiful child figured it out; her little one enjoyed the bright new sights of the studio and gained an early insight into the mechanisms of hair stylings. She enjoyed the many mirrors and sounds all around her, taking short breaks in between the bleaching process to nurse. As long as she was near her mom, her baby was happy, content, and comfortable.

Wacko herself got a bit nervous the longer it went on, as Laurent Falcon’s artists worked the steps in a different order than she was used to. But once her hair was rinsed, the relief of the beautiful look was evident in her face. She’d brought a stunningly long floral dress that, paired with her new bright hair and incredible brown eyes, created the look of a goddess. Add to the picture her adorable, happy child, and our subject turned into a vision, a retelling of the Madonna and child that would fit in well at any art gallery. Everyone who saw our photo shoot had to simply stop and stare at the personification of happiness, the proud look of a very happy mama and her child.

Laurent Falcon, French Style Salon

New location at Hello Mart 城市市集
2F 48 Liangmaqiao Road, Chaoyang District
朝阳区亮马桥路48号
www.laurent-falcon.com
135 0137 2971

KEEP READING:  Indulge: Pamper Day – When the Twins Are Away, Mama Will Play

Images: Uni You

This article appeared in the jingkids 2021 May issue

Dear Everyone,

Before I met my husband, before I became a mother, I was in constant pursuit of happiness. My perception of happiness back then is reflected in the left picture. I thought an appearance like that would bring me joy and success. I was depressed and confused. I lived a life where I partly measured my value in the response I got on social media.

I had never been slimmer in my life, yet I cried myself to sleep almost every day. I was never good enough. Now I’m asking myself, good enough for who?

To understand that I thought I was only worthy of shallow people’s attention makes me very sad. We are all better than that. Why would I even want people like that around myself… Despite it being a dark period of my life, it’s now very reassuring to know that I was unhappy back then. Deep down I knew that what I was doing and how I was thinking was wrong. I finally broke through.

Back then my body weighed 12kg less compared to this day, it did not make me happy. Today my soul weigh 12kg less compared to then, this makes me happy.

Right next to me in this very moment, I have my husband goofing around with my daughter in her stroller, she’s shouting and making the cutest noises I’ve ever heard in my whole life. I’m not wearing makeup, I’m here in my sports bra, a bra that smells of sour milk, I haven’t properly worked out for a year. And guess what, I am happy, I am accepted, I am loved by the two most amazing human beings. Another newsflash, my personality got me this. It was not the slim body I had strived so hard to get for all those years. The moment I decided to finally show my true colors, stopped hiding, and stopped care about what comes my way or not, the universe gifted me with my husband, then it gifted us with our beloved daughter. Being content with myself helped me attract a person of equal mindset and heart. We both treasure what really matters in our very short lives, hence our happy marriage.

Happiness, honesty, support, respect, loyalty & love. None of it achieved and maintained simply because of a person’s appearance.

Love,
Camilla Kongshavn Jovanović

Photos: unsplash, Camilla Kongshavn Jovanović

I’ve been writing about alternative ways of approaching weight loss and transformative body goals after birth, while prioritizing self-love, lifestyle, and wellness goals over slimming down. Today, I would like to share one of my favorite healthy recipes for a go-to-lunch option and a vitamin rich smoothie to help give you a nutritionally balanced boost.

Us moms need quick and easy solutions for healthy eating when we are on the go. Luckily, this meal can be prepared in advance for work, or whipped up while the little one naps, so that you can have yourself a tasty and healthy meal you can call upon to mix up your weekly meal-plan and help towards your postpartum wellness goals.

Greek Cauliflower Rice Bowl with Grilled Chicken

I’ve always liked the idea of taking mundane vegetables and using them in creative ways to replace carbohydrate staples like rice or pasta. I’m a carb fiend, and I don’t encourage completely excluding carbohydrates from your diet, but limiting the amount you consume can help towards feeling less lethargic and bloated and of course can help towards creating a more lean and healthier you!

I found this awesome and simple recipe online but mixed it up a little to add extra flavor and more texture.

What you will need:

• 4-7 florets of cauliflower
• 1/3 cup chopped red onion
• 1/3 peeled, deseeded, and diced cucumber
• 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes
• 1/3 cup chopped parsley
• 1/3 cup chopped mint
• 3 tbsp lemon juice
• 6 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tbsp chopped deli olives
• 2 tbsp crumbled feta cheese
• 3/4 tsp sea salt
• 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
• 3/4 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp roasted white and black sesame seeds
• 1/2 cup of mixed fresh dill and fennel leaf
• 1 pound of boneless, skinless chicken breast

 Instructions:

1. Preheat grill in the oven to medium
2. Place cauliflower florets in a food processor and pulse until broken down into rice-size granules
3. Heat two tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the cauliflower, onion and 1/4 teaspoon of salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the cauliflower is softened, about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the dill and fennel.
4. Meanwhile, rub 1 teaspoon of oil all over the chicken. Season the chicken with salt, black pepper, and paprika to taste. Grill, turning once, until cooked through. Run a knife through the thickest part of the breast and if the juices run clear when removed, the chicken should be fully cooked. Slice diagonally.
5. Whisk the remaining olive oil, lemon juice, oregano, and salt and black pepper in a small bowl. Add the tomatoes, cucumber, and olives then mix.
6. Divide the cauliflower into rice bowls. Top with the chicken, and mixed salad. Sprinkle with the chopped parsley, mint, and roasted sesame seeds. Serve with lemon wedges if desired.

Almond Butter and Banana Protein Smoothie

This recipe is so quick and easy. You can buy a bunch of bananas and keep them in your freezer for easy access and most of what you need can be stocked in your pantry.

What you will need:

• 1 small frozen banana
• 1 cup unsweetened almond milk
• 2 tbsp almond butter
• 2 tbsp unflavored protein powder
• 1 tbsp sweetener of your choice (optional)
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 4-6 ice cups

Instructions:

Combine all ingredients together in a blender and blend until smooth. Sprinkle some cinnamon on top and serve!

Photos: Pixabay, www.eatingwell.com

Staying at home with the kids, working full time, or working like I do from home with an occasional visit to the office are easily the biggest and toughest decisions that a couple has to take on. Being a working couple means juggling a number of stress-inducing issues. My husband and I are a typical working couple but to add to the mix we are also both completing masters degrees while caring for our 9-month-old son. It gets busy.

The reality is all kinds of work-life-parenting options are challenging but below are some insights into the financial and emotional factors that need to be considered when choosing whether to stay at home and work or stay at home and look after the kids.

You will need to plan for medical care

Perks associated with corporate full-time employment in our home countries concerning medical insurance and the like may not be accessible at the best of times while working in Beijing, never mind when starting a family and choosing to stay at home. Quitting your job will reflect directly on your medical insurance, particularly if your current job offers insurance for the entire family. So, if you choose to give up your job and stay home, carefully study the impact of medical insurance on the family.

This is as equally as important when working from home. Medical insurance varies from job to job and the type of insurance you have access to may be affected by the number of your contractual hours when working part-time and or whether or not you’re working from the privacy of your home.

Your savings will be impacted

Suddenly turning into a single-income family can affect your savings in a major way. Even with adjustments in lifestyle, savings will take a hit. As a freelancer and business owner, this was ever more true for my family and me. While a lot of it will depend on how big the second income that you are foregoing is, anything earned between RMB 16,000 and RMB 20,000 could impact savings by 40 -50 percent. Consider cutting down on certain amenities to save money.

You will need to cut down your entertainment and holiday budget

Apart from savings, travel, and vacations make a huge dent in any budget. These are luxuries that unfortunately may need to be shifted to the back burner of your priority list. However, a single-income doesn’t mean hibernating at home, doing nothing; there are a number of adjustments that can be made.

– Pay more attention to the fine print on your plastic and take advantage of travel deals and freebies that you and the family can cop from your credit cards.
– Change your travel destinations and/or activities. We, for instance, have chosen cheaper destinations, staycations, and day trips.

Your future plans will see an impact

There may be a shift in your future family decisions if transitioning from a double to single income household or working part-time or full-time at home on a reduced salary. The decisions that may be impacted may include, buying a house to having another baby. Many future goals are dependent on your savings, which usually decrease when starting a family and replenishing your savings may take time.

Evaluate the cost of daycare or nanny versus keeping a second income

When I first contemplated returning to work while being pregnant, it was difficult to quantify being away from my newborn. Fortunately for many expats in Beijing, the prohibitive day costs in many of our home countries, as well as the cost of a nanny, are factors that are not typically problems for families, because of the affordable child-care options here.

An ayi (nanny) typically costs less than half the amount it would to hire someone full-time for care for your child in your home country and can provide flexibility for you to slowly return back to part-time or full-time employment, when the dust has settled and you’ve found the ideal ayi for you and your family.

However, depending on the amount of the second income you may be trying to maintain, it may not be worth hiring a full-time stay-in-helper for your child. These are very personal decisions and dependent on family structures. Think about the incurring expenses once you get pregnant and alternative options such as smaller side jobs that can provide extra income while taking a hiatus from a full-time job.

Photo: Pixabay

If your week is in need of a refresher for baby and you, there are plenty of opportunities in Beijing to bring some color and life into your schedule. Take advantage of the many playgroups around the city, which give moms (and dads) the chance to break the solitude that sometimes comes with caring for a newborn or toddler, and the opportunity to meet and befriend other parents. Here is an updated list of groups that also offer a safe and stimulating environment to promote the cognitive and physical development of your little one. Get out the baby-bag, pack up the formula, dust off the stroller and call a Didi – it’s time to play!

Bumps to Babes: Little Puppies, Little Roosters, and Little Monkeys
The Bumps to Babes (B2B) volunteer groups in Beijing offer a varied range of free playgroups at the Canadian International School of Beijing (CISB) campus and CISB Kindergarten. Catering for different age groups (named after the animal that represents the year your baby was born according to the Chinese calendar) and locations for both expecting mothers and families, there’s truly something on offer for everyone.

On Tuesdays, the Little Roosters group offers playmate time for babies born between February 2017 and January 2018. The Little Puppies group takes place every Wednesday and caters for babies born between February 2018 and January 2019. The Little Monkeys group is held every Thursday and serves parents who have babies that were born between February 2016 and January 2017. And every Friday, the B2B CISB group offers a mixed age playgroup.

To find out more information and be signed up to these and other groups on offer, please email beijingbumps2babes@gmail.com. Be sure to ask to be added to the B2B Beijing WeChat group, which provides a chance for moms and dad to find out about family-friendly deals around Beijing.

Panda Chinese Playgroup: Chinese Sing Song Time
Join in the sing-along every Monday and Thursday. Expect structured activities centered around Chinese music and play. This vibrant group caters for babies from 0-6 months, and ayis are welcome. Warm up the vocal cords, shake a tambourine and get ready for good vibes, baby laughter, and a good natter with fellow moms and dads.

RMB 80 per class. Every Monday and Thursday 10-11.30am. Apartment 401, Unit 1, Building 32, Xingfuercun, Chaoyang district.

BSB, Sanlitun/Shunyi Baby & Toddler Playgroup
The British School of Beijing, Sanlitun (BSB Sanlitun) and British School of Beijing, Shunyi (BSB Shunyi) play host to both new parents and families that have managed to get a year or two under their belt. These fun-filled playgroups incorporate free play with more structured activities for children between 0-3 years old, not to mention the chance to take a peek at the schools’ beautiful campuses.

Free. Every Wednesday (Sanlitun) and Friday (Shunyi). 9-10.30am, (Sep-Jun). The British School of Beijing, Sanlitun. (receptionsltey@bsbsanlitun.com). The British School of Beijing, Shunyi. (8047 3588).

Safari Time Songs for Infants and Toddlers
Fancy an exotic trip on a Safari with your little one? It’s time to shake a leg and get moving, singing, and dancing. There are classes available for both babies and toddlers and these weekend song sessions have been a major hit with parents. If you’ve got a child of 3 – 18 months old or 18 months – 4 years old, bring them to The Bookworm and enjoy songs and rhymes from around the world; great for brain development and great fun for mommies and daddies.

RMB 80. Every Saturday. The Bookworm. Safari Time Songs (Toddlers) 9.30 – 10.30am. Safari Time Songs (Babies) 10.30 – 11.30am. 

Hello Future Kindergarten Songs and Stories 
Join Hello Future Kindergarten for a toddler playgroup every Tuesday morning from 9.15 to 10.15am. Read, sing, dance and do crafts for the kids, with coffee for mom and dad. Kids should come with a parent – no ayi, please. The class is appropriate for children aged 6 months to 3 years.

RMB 70. Every Tuesday. Hello Future Kindergarten. 9.15-10.15am. (8430 8332)

Something moms struggle with is self care. It took me a long time to be convinced that self care is good, but we can’t pour out of an empty cup. Being a mother is an emotional rollercoaster and – newsflash – you will never feel like your old self again. This is the new you now. Moms are pretty amazing, and I am a big advocate of moms taking time for themselves, making sure they parent from a place that is filled with love not drained of energy.

Camila Betin is a new mother who has combined all her knowledge, and is ready to help mothers in Beijing get happy and healthy. Betin is a nutrition specialist and fitness trainer who had her first child in December; she has learned many valuable lessons in this short amount of time.

A few months ago I’ve learned that being a mom is the most amazing, yet overwhelming/ demanding thing that can happen to a woman.

Betin has been creating this program since her son was born, giving it time to develop while she dipped her toe into motherhood. I have seen her riding her bike around Lido, and it looks to me like she has the hang of it. Being fit and healthy is so important for everybody in the family. Betin explains:

Being a new mom is not easy. Especially in the first months, it feels like there is a new challenge every day and when life itself is a challenge, you don’t need to add more pressure on yourself. So the idea behind this project is not to put people on a diet, or make them to spend two hours at the gym. My goal is to help other moms to change their lifestyle, little by little, and bring more health and good nutrition for all their family.

What is included in the Mommy’s Me Time eight week program?

• A meal plan designed to boost your energy with the right amount of calories and nutrients
• Recipes that can be cooked in 30 minutes
• A home workout program with sessions that last less than 1/2 hour + workout kit – Bi-weekly one-to-one meetings
• Group training with other moms
• A cooking class
• An on-line support group

Get more information by scanning the QR code on the poster

Pictures: Camila Betin